The English -ing-Form from a Recapitulationist Hypothesis' Perspective
The English -ing-Form from a Recapitulationist Hypothesis' Perspective

Summary/Abstract: Viewing language as an evolutionary process can offer a new insight into our understanding of historical changes. It also raises significant questions to the nature of language. In this paper, the English -ing form is examined from a recapitulationist hypothesis perspective, aiming to elucidate the complexity around the grammatical category membership of the different functions of this form. The study of the -ing form in child language acquisition as compared to its history will lead to the discussion of how the functions are connected, both structurally and cognitively. By searching outside the traditional grammatical approaches to grammatical categories, it is possible to make clear the identity of the -ing form.

• Details
• Contents